A new songbook titled Buga Yanu Junba — meaning Songs for Young Children in Bunuba language — as well as an accompanying album of the same name, was launched last week at Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u, an early childhood education and care centre run by Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre.
Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, the book is a special collection of original songs in Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri and Kimberley Kriol with English translations, and was designed as a companion to Buga Yanu Junba album written by early childhood educators, Elders, language educators, musicians, and school students from Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia, and nearby communities.
The two projects are the culmination of years of collaboration between researchers, educators, families, Elders, musicians, language custodians, and cultural advisors.
The writing of the songs came about through a project led by University of Melbourne musician and researcher, Dr Gillian Howell, and produced by Tura, as part of its award-winning Sound FX program. The songs celebrate the cultures, identities, and enduring strengths of the Bunuba, Gooniyandi and Walmajarri people of the central Kimberley region.
"I'm very proud to see the vision that was created by my Elders all those years ago still being carried on today. Those Elders have left us, but their dreams are coming true," songwriter and senior language custodian Patsy Ngalu Bedford said.
Walmajarri educator and songwriter Maria Marmingee Hand also expressed the significance of the songbook.
"I hope the songs in this important songbook, Buga Yanu Junba, will help keep our Kimberley languages strong, and give strong pilyurr (spirit, essence) to all children everywhere," she said.
The songbook extends the songs' reach with lyrics, chords and notations, in-depth translations, and introductions from each songwriter and beautiful illustrations created by community. There are even karaoke versions of each song, a valuable tool for educators or families singing along at home.
"If my old people were here now and listened to these recordings, they'd be so proud to see the little ones grow and carry the knowledge from them in their hearts," educator and co-researcher June Nixon said.
Each song carries stories and knowledges unique to the Kimberley. The song Thurranda Gurranda (written by Jayedene Green, Patsy Bedford, Annika Moses, and Gillian Howell) celebrates the return of brolgas each hot season, recalling the joy of family gatherings, while the song The Right-Size Galwanyi (written by Brenda Shaw, Patricia Cox, Delphine Shandley, Min En Chek, and Gillian Howell) teaches respect for Country by reminding fishers not to waste sawfish and to think about future generations.
The songbook and album's release was marked by a roadshow tour with community performances and workshops, as well as an official community launch at Baya Gawiy, featuring a smoking Ceremony and children's performances.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia.
They are community-led, responding to requests from remote communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.
Buga Yanu Junba: Songs for Young Children is published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, with all royalties going to Indigenous communities. It also comes with a QR code to listen to the accompanying album by Tura.
The songbook can be purchased online via the Indigenous Literacy Foundation shop and all good bookstores.
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